A crowd of children stood round staring atDuffuss
pony. A little overdressed for my taste, said Mrs Malonedryly.
The old woman looked up and began plucking with her
hands like alarge tousled ape. But what did he mean by whathe was saying? A little
man in a tweed cap got out and rapped at thedoor. She looked down the long
many-pillaredvista of Abercorn Terrace.
The sparrows and starlings, making their discordant
chatter roundthe eaves of St.
The air from the garden outside was full
ofmurmurings and cooings.
But none of them, she noticed, dared stroke
theponys nose. He meant that hewished her to buy it, she knew. He hadrobbed her of
the one feeling that was genuine; he had spoilt herone moment of understanding. Its
nice to have a quiet evening once in a way, Mrs Malone wassaying, though the Fripps
Still she gazed up and downwith her indolent
dissatisfied stare. But here was the top floor whereold Mrs Potter lay bedridden.
She had putaway her embroidery; she was sitting upright, she was lookingrather
formidable.
Well, stand up for yourself; dont be sat on, Nell.
He stood looking at the smoke for a moment.
Something pretty, something she could wear,
youknow. It proved Ellen never shook up thecushions properly. It was part ofthe
mysterious ritual of her parents lives.
Fetch me my engagement book, said her mother at
last. There, she said, pointing to a card of bead necklaces.